(BW) AIA San Antonio Honors San Antonio River Walk Visionary Robert H.H. Hugman; Bronze Marker Bestows '25-Year Design Award' on Late Architect at Site of His Original Office on the World-Famous Paseo Del Rio

Business Editors, (c) 2006 Business Wire

Published 8:30 pm, Tuesday, May 2, 2006

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2006--The San Antonio chapter of the American Institute of Architects unveiled a large cast bronze marker at the base of the historic Clifford Building (Royalty Coin Building) on the San Antonio River Walk at 429 E. Commerce Street, honoring the late Robert H.H. Hugman, AIA, the original designer of the world-famous linear park.

The brief ceremony, attended by numerous elected officials and local dignitaries, coincided with the first day of National Historic Preservation Month.

Measuring 18x24 inches, the marker recognizes Hugman, who died in 1980, for "outstanding architectural design and achievement" with the chapter's first annual 25-Year Design Award, sponsored by Lucifer Lighting Company and presented to a local architectural project completed before 1980 that has stood the test of time. The marker tells a brief story of Hugman's visionary design that eventually transformed the downtown section of the San Antonio River -- also known as the Paseo del Rio -- into one of the world's most captivating linear parks, featuring winding walkways, lush landscaping, romantic bridges and other details that have helped make it the number-one tourist destination in the state of Texas.

"Robert Hugman was a true visionary who believed passionately in what the San Antonio River could become, with proper design and care," said Greg Papay, AIA, president of AIA San Antonio. "Our city owes him a tremendous debt for his grand ideas and hard work, which laid the foundation for the beautiful River Walk we enjoy today."

The cast bronze marker was installed at the River Walk level of the historic Clifford Building's brick facade, just below the wooden-framed windows of Hugman's former office overlooking the river -- now the site of The Republic of Texas Restaurant.

AIA San Antonio, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is the fourth largest chapter of the AIA in the state of Texas. It will host the national AIA convention in San Antonio in May 2007, incorporating the theme "Building Beyond Green."